Types of loans to consider:

• Type of business loan
• Best for
• Description
• Equipment purchases

Meant to purchase necessary equipment, with loan amounts potentially in the millions.

Revolving business loan that business owners can usually draw from repeatedly as they repay past loans.

Business loan with set terms that must be repaid within a specific period. These can have short terms from six months up to 10 years or more.

Offered on a limited basis through nonprofit microlenders. These loans offer relaxed lending criteria for loan sizes up to $50,000.

Uses a business’s unpaid invoices to prove its ability to repay, rather than relying on traditional lending requirements. Invoice factoring sells these unpaid invoices to a factoring company.

When comparing loans, you also want to consider each loan’s features to find the right one for your business. Those include the minimum and maximum loan amounts, interest rates and fees, all of which contribute to the loan’s borrowing costs.

You should also consider the length of payment terms offered. Long terms can lower monthly payments and interest rates. Short terms can help you get out of debt quickly and lower the total interest paid. These features may steer you toward one type of loan over the other.

If you can’t qualify for a traditional business loan, you may want to consider these zero-debt financing options:

Business credit cards allow you to charge purchases within a specific credit limit. A card can help manage cash flow and expenses.

Business grants are like the scholarships of the business world, offering money to qualifying businesses that the business doesn’t repay. Each grant has its own qualifications, including some that want to see a business plan or presentation pitching the business.

Crowdfunding allows businesses to raise capital through reward or debt crowdfunding, in which a pool of individuals funds a business loan.

1. Compare lenders

Next, consider the best lenders offering the business loan you’re looking for. Lenders can vary significantly in their interest rates and loan features, even within the same loan type.

For example, some lenders specialize in short-term loans. Others are known for their prepayment discounts or low interest rates. Compare several lenders and loan offers together to see which ones best fit the purpose of your financing.

Banks

Traditional bank lenders are an obvious choice for getting a business loan, especially if you already do business banking with that lender. Traditional lenders include physical brick-and-mortar banks or credit unions.

With an established relationship, the lender may be more likely to approve financing if your business stands in a financial gray area. You can also get guidance from a loan specialist to help you decide which loan is best for you.

While traditional lenders tend to offer the lowest interest rates, most keep tight lending criteria, such as a 670 minimum credit score and two years in business. Bank lenders may also have in-depth loan applications.

Online lenders

Online lenders, also known as fintech or nonbank lenders, are available to borrowers who may not meet traditional lending requirements. These lenders may specialize in specific types of loans or serve startups or bad credit businesses.

Most of the loan application process is done online, so you can apply within minutes. Many online lenders will approve the loan in a day or two. But it may take longer to deposit the funds in your account.

If you don’t qualify for a conventional business loan, first-time borrowers could look into a loan backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA sets standards for the SBA loan program, but loans are offered through SBA-approved lenders that do the actual financing.

SBA loans are designed to set a cap on interest rates and offer longer repayment terms than some conventional loans. The SBA 7(a) loan is the most common program applied for by small businesses. The SBA’s Lender Match tool can help find SBA-approved lenders in your area.

Microloans

Microloans are small business loans offered in small loan sizes, such as $100,000 or less. There’s not a standardized amount that defines a conventional microloan, but SBA microloans are capped at $50,000.

Because microlenders often lower the lending criteria, startups and companies with limited sales revenue may qualify for these loans. SBA microloans are offered through approved SBA microlenders, often nonprofits geared toward serving a minority community.

1. Gather the necessary information and documents

Lenders will require you to show your financial status when applying for a business loan. The exact documents will differ from lender to lender, but common requests — especially for traditional bank lenders — are:

• Personal credit history
• Business credit history
• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Business bank statements
• Financial statements such as a balance sheet
• Business income tax returns
• Business licenses
• Proof of business formation
• Legal documents
• Business plan
• Collateral offered
• Funding request

1. Apply for your first business loan

Once you’ve chosen your loan and gathered all the documents, you can submit your loan application to the lender. Some lenders will require you to submit paperwork in person, while others have an online application.

Submitting the paperwork doesn’t mean the loan application is totally out of your hands. You’ll want to keep an eye out for messages from the lender in case additional information is needed. Responding to these requests quickly will keep the approval process moving efficiently.

In most cases, the approval process will take a few days to several weeks, but the type of loan and lender you choose will influence how long it’ll take to receive funds.

Bottom line

Getting a first-time business loan can help you secure the funds needed to grow your business. But you want to research and compare different types of loans, lender requirements and loan features to make the right financing decision. You also want to keep detailed records to gauge how much funding you need and prove your creditworthiness to the lender. Consider the types of loans that will match your financing purposes and look for lenders that give you the best offer for that loan.